National Guard For NY Airport Security

Governor David A. Paterson today advised passengers traveling into or out of New York airports to allow extra time to check in and continue through security screenings prior to their flights. As these measures will add time to standard pre-flight procedures, travelers should arrive an additional hour earlier to mitigate delays.

The Governor also announced that the Task Force Empire Shield has provided a supplementary force of approximately 80 National Guard soldiers who will provide support during peak travel periods, focusing on John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport.

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The Governor first directed the Task Force to assemble the supplementary force following the December 25 incident aboard a Detroit-bound flight. They will be a consistent presence during busy travel hours and also patrol ground transportation hubs on New Year’s Eve.

“While many are shaken, this recent threat should not hamper our holiday and future travel plans. We have taken the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of all travelers and we ask that they also continue to be observant of security measures and protocols,” Governor Paterson said. “Our actions should not raise the alarm, but rather demonstrate that we are working at the local, state and federal levels to keep travelers safe.”